I don't believe there is anything inherit in SACD that makes them "lousy" CD players and I think that exagerration is only intended to push people over to an extreme viewpoint.
Here is a generalization thath olds a little more water:
* There are greater differences between low-mid level digital sources than there are in higher end products. By this, I mean that it is more likely that when people generalize a characteristic associated with that source that it more often has some basis in truth and that you're more likely to notice it. Ie, Brand X is bright, brand Y is smooth.
With that in mind, search the forums for Sony SE players. Search specifically for comments about the 555ES, 333ES, etc. You'll find that in many cases they too have sonic signatures that some people like a lot and others like not so much.
You'lll also find other things to be consistent about the Sony line of players--features they tend to concentrate on, that they tend to have a lot of features, that they have good warranties, etc. A lot of people want to think tese things come free--I don't agree that they do. If you have a lot of features and warranties, etc. that comes out of a budget. Some people would say they can afford to cut more corners because they sell more units--get better deals on bulk parts, because the cost of the R&D is spread over a greater number of units, etc. Some people think it balances out--others disagree.
One paragraph above illustrates that while many people say Sony products subjectively sound the best for the money, others do not. The second paragraph illustrates that while some people appreciate Sony's abilities as a company, others do not.
What is my point exactly? That the low end Sony CD players are NOT a one-size-fits all solution. That it is not so simple to categorically say "Brand X makes the best of this product at every price point no matter what your needs or preferences are." THIS is the statement from Team Sony that I find so disagreeable.
What I will agree with is that you should audition the SACD players. You shouldn't let the "value added feature" of SACD detract from your consideration of the Sony players before you've given them a chance. You should audition them and comparably priced players and decide what's right for you in your system.
I would take SACD seriously. I would consider that it is an inevitable coming thing that you may want to take part in--especially if you like recordings that tend to get the audiophile treatment (Classical and Jazz classics and classic Rock albums) as some of them are already here and more will certainly follow prior to mainstream success of SACD if mainstream success is achieved. I'd consider it... but I'd also consider how much of this will make up your listening time now and I'd consider how soon you think you'll plan to upgrade your source again. If you'll be buying another CD player in two or three years anyway, maybe you'll get a second chance to decide whether SACD is a more important feature to you.
(Sorry for the soap box, but I've been wanting to address Team Sony for a while.)
Personally, for my taste, I don't care for the redbook performance of the lower Sony SE SACD players. I don't find them horrible or anything but I don't find them as satisfying as other comparably priced players and DACs. When faced with a decison that fit the budget of the 555ES, I took the ART DI/O. You might prefer the 555ES. Vertigo prefered the 9000ES to his fully modified ART DI/O. To be sure, none of the options at this price point approach perfection and taste varies.
For my taste, I also don't find favor with the Linn gear. I have yet to hear the famed CD12 and expect to feel differently about this flagship product. For the Classik, Ikemi and Genki, I felt I could get something more right for me at comparable price points. For me, the Linn players were a little bright and a lot smooth. They seemed to glass over details and not reveal the Z-plane depth that I was looking for in their price points. Depending on your priorities, I can see how someone would like them a lot. For me, the "layering" effect of subtle variations in dynamic response and space surrounding the musicians takes precedence over the smoothness. These opinions are only mine, by the way and I imagine other people may have had polar opposite expeiences with Linn--that seems common with me especially amongst fellow HeadFiers. Therefore, threat this only as an example and a reason why you should consider trying to audition yourself before making a decision.
As I've stressed before, when it's your cash and your ears, it's your opinion that matters. Don't let me or any of the proponents of other hardware cause you to second guess that.
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